the first genuine performance by a child actor seen in a long, long time

Second only to the amazing fantasy-scene imagery is Catinca Untaru’s performance as Alexandria in what could be the first genuine performance by a child actor seen in a long, long time. Tarsem’s skilful choreographing of the scenes between Ray and the girl mean her performance is much more believable and realistic than the disturbingly over-literate and precocious child actors produced by the Hollywood machine.